discussion Can the twelve actually speak to men?

[Miriamele]

Hey all!

 

So my Hikari is a paladin in the traditional sense, she doesn't own a soulstone or anything and knows incredibly basic conjury and how to use a sword and a shield. Not really the point but just a tad of background.

 

I'm trying to figure out if there is anyway she could 'hear' Azeyma, her Goddess of choice? IC'ly I have Hikari constantly going out to help the people of Eorzea, defending villages from wild boars, escorting someone to a city, all that good and paladiny stuff but is there some way she could hear Azeyma or could Azeyma send her a nudge that's sort of a feeling of 'Hey go here'?

 

Thanks for any help or feedback!

[FreelanceWizard]

Well, I mean, you can always hear voices.

 

The reality of the gods is a question the devs have been fairly mum on. MCKF has said that we'll see more about them over time and that they're imperfect beings whose legends have grown in the telling (I'm lazy and don't have the post reference handy ). Realistically, at this point, they're legends that could be called into this realm through summoning, but they have no continuous existence in the way that, say, a D&D god would.

 

My recommendation would be to leave it vague. Your character believes she's hearing messages from Azeyma and that the goddess speaks to her directly -- but the truth of the matter is not established one way or the other. The nudges and voices do point her in the right direction, but whether that's the Echo, hunches and intuition, sheer luck, or actually the goddess speaking to her is never established. This model gives you the freedom to make the decision later if you must, prevents any conflicts with future lore we may be given, and potentially leads to some interesting RP.

[Valence]

The only more pragmatic version we have had was Gaius van Baelsar view on Eorzean gods, or the Twelve, where he asks the WoL what's the difference between the primals they fight and their gods they summoned at Carteneau, and what makes them so different from the Beast Tribes they oppress.

 

Of course, we can't really know for certain as since it's an outsider point of view, if it's really true, or just heavy bias and garlean drivel. So... This doesn't say much.

[Riggy]

The only more pragmatic version we have had was Gaius van Baelsar view on Eorzean gods, or the Twelve, where he asks the WoL what's the difference between the primals they fight and their gods they summoned at Carteneau, and what makes them so different from the Beast Tribes they oppress.

 

Of course, we can't really know for certain as since it's an outsider point of view, if it's really true, or just heavy bias and garlean drivel. So... This doesn't say much.

Gaius isn't completely wrong, though, given the Ascians almost succeeded in manipulating Wilfred and his friends into trying to summon Rhalgr into the physical plane via the same method Primals are summoned.

 

And Ilberd might have successfully summoned Rhalgr at Baelsar's Wall.

 

[Valence]

Absolutely nothing yet says it's Rhalgr though. I'm still interested to see if it is or not since it changes everything if so.

[As'elena]

They never seem to actually respond during the Eternal Bond story or any other scenario safe for the time they were involved in something magical. And that's just a matter of someone cool using a lot of aether.

 

What doesn't exist can't speak! 

#GarlemaldIsRight

[Nebbs]

To hear the gods, first must you listen. For it is said those with fingers in their ears shall find only earwax.

[Riggy]

They never seem to actually respond during the Eternal Bond story or any other scenario safe for the time they were involved in something magical. And that's just a matter of someone cool using a lot of aether.

 

What doesn't exist can't speak! 

#GarlemaldIsRight

What are the Twelve if not someone(s) who are cool and use a lot of Aether?

[Sounsyy]

I'm trying to figure out if there is anyway she could 'hear' Azeyma, her Goddess of choice? IC'ly I have Hikari constantly going out to help the people of Eorzea, defending villages from wild boars, escorting someone to a city, all that good and paladiny stuff but is there some way she could hear Azeyma or could Azeyma send her a nudge that's sort of a feeling of 'Hey go here'?

 

There are countless examples of men and women throughout the eras who claim to have spoken to or hear the words of the Twelve. Whether or not they actually do is ultimately up to interpretation much like in the real world. Did the Twelve really speak to Louisoix on Carteneau? Are the elementals really the voice of Nophica? Can Ishgardians really hear the voice of Halone within The Fury's Gaze? Does Azeyma speak to your character in the way it does to Swaenhylt, or is the Warden as silent as she was for the Warrior of Light?

 

I called upon the Twelve to aid me in the creation of a prison of aether...

Nophica' date=' tender of soils and goddess of good harvests, is the patron deity of Gridania. While She does not want for devotees in other lands, only in the Twelveswood does one find the curious belief that the elementals are sprung from Her essence. These beings are at once the force of the forest's vitality and its defenders, ever ready to purge invaders from amongst the trees. Their presence is felt most keenly in the everyday life of Gridanians, and many are the festivals and rituals performed in honor of the elementals.[/quote']

The Fury's Gaze

A place holy to all Ishgardians, it is believed that when a man stands within this hidden grotto, the Fury Herself will reach deep into the darkest recesses of his soul and lay out his sins before him, allowing the man to repent those failings. The Monument Tower nearby was built to protect this hallowed ground from the taint of dragons and heretics.

Now is the time to offer thanks and rejoice in Azeyma's blessings. For you have seen the deed done' date=' and she is eternally grateful. This, she has spoken to me in your absence. Worry for the lost souls no longer. For they are returned to Azeyma's flock, and shall henceforth be tended to by her humble servant, Swaenhylt. See how those who repent are greeted by the Warden with love, while those who wallow in their sins invite only the swift justice of her blade.[/quote']

As you kneel before the mark of the Warden in a moment of quiet solitude' date=' you breathe deep of the dry desert air. The roar of the rushing waters is punctuated by the faint chirping of vilekin and the shrill cries of a hawk. The gods, however, remain silent...[/quote']

 

 

So, I say go for it! Have your character be a disciple of Azeyma! It's actually a good fit for a paladin. The first paladins of Belah'dia were worshipers of Azeyma, and in ancient Belah'dia the sword was deemed the sacred arm of the paladins and common folk were forbidden to carry them - likely due to religious imagery of Azeyma meting out justice with divine blade and golden fan.

 

You can learn more about Azeyma from these links:

-Azeyma Lore

-Hearing Confession

 

You can still find Swaenhylt preaching about Azeyma in Drybone, blaming the Calamity on men for abandoning Her divine light.

The Calamity was man's doing! 'Twas our sins that brought the judgement and wrath of Azeyma! Repent' date=' and thou shalt be showered in the Warden's light![/quote']

 

Hope this helps! ^^

[Miriamele]

Thank you everyone, this has definitely given me some ideas on how to go forward from here!

[Zelmanov]

Hydaelyn has been known to speak to men, and Orrin in fact confused the voice of hydaelyn for Halone. If you don't want to go the echo route, keep it vague until we learn more about the gods